Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Fernando Mendoza
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19.0 | 12.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Geno Smith News
Saturday, August 22, 6:02 AM
It had been almost 10 full years since veteran quarterback Geno Smith last started a game for the New York Jets, but in his 2026 preseason debut, he offered a glimpse of what his second stint with the team could look like. Smith was 7-of-7 on his lone drive of the night, completing passes to six different receivers, including a 13-yard touchdown to tight end Jelani Woods to cap off a 10-play, 69-yard drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers. A second-round pick of the Jets in 2013, Smith went 12-18 as the team's starter and never truly found his footing until he landed with Seattle as a free agent and earned the starting job in 2022. Following three redemptive seasons with the Seahawks, Smith led one of the league's worst offenses with the Raiders in 2025, but after a low-stakes trade brought him back to the Jets, he has, by all accounts, put together an eye-opening training camp. A near-perfect preseason debut should see his draft cost rise, but at his current ADP of QB37, Smith could prove to be a severely underrated fantasy quarterback with every-week usability.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.1 | 12.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Fernando Mendoza News
Friday, August 21, 6:50 AM
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza got his first professional start in Thursday night's preseason matchup with the Texans, and on the team's opening drive, he threw an interception to rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz that was returned 80 yards for a touchdown. Playing the entire first half, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft led four more drives, resulting in a field goal and three punts before Aidan O'Connell took over in the second half and managed a come-from-behind victory. Along with a handful of starters, veteran Kirk Cousins was given the night off following a productive joint practice with the Texans, but after the game, head coach Klint Kubiak declined to name a starter for the regular season. "We got another week. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job... It should always be that way for all positions. So, let's keep going." Barring an unforeseen surprise, Mendoza will begin his rookie campaign backing up Cousins. Still, he has reportedly impressed behind the scenes and could find the field earlier than initially projected, making him an intriguing late-round pick in superflex leagues as RotoBaller's QB29.
Geno Smith vs. Fernando Mendoza
Still trying to decide between Smith and Mendoza? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Geno Smith is projected to score 19.0 points this week while Fernando Mendoza is projected to score 16.1 points.
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